Rego Park Jewish Center: Tisha B’av, a day of mourning celebrated by Jews all over the world

In August, like July, days and nights appear more relaxed and tranquil, but even in the sultry days and nights of summer, an occasional rogue breeze, promises the coming of the coolness of autumn.

August is the Hebrew month of Av and a very important event is celebrated by Jews all over.

It is Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of Av. It is a day of mourning for the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians and of the Second Temple in the year 70, common era, by the Romans.

Next to Yom Kippur, Tisha B’Av is the most important day in the Jewish calendar with many of the same customs observed by mourners, such as fasting, sitting on low benches and removing ones shoes.

At the Rego Park Jewish Center, things are slowly getting back to the usual tempo.

As early as it may be, we are looking to the calendar knowing that our High Holy Days are coming. This year the holidays are quite late, coming in October.

It’s not too soon to save the dates. Please, come into our office and make your holiday plans. We have the most beautiful services in Queens conducted by Rabbi Romiel Daniel and world renowned Cantor Yehuda Rottner from Israel. Seats go very fast once our announcement is made public on front of our temple. Don’t be disappointed, make your plans to join us in our historic synagogue and become one with us as we celebrate another new year.

Better still, visit our office to learn about our very reasonable membership packages. Whether secular or not, you will be happily surprised by how affordable it is.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and take it easy during the hottest times of the day.

For more news from Rego Park Jewish Center, visit their website at www.rpjc.org.